Lightning Rod (roller coaster): Difference between revisions
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| section = Jukebox Junction |
| section = Jukebox Junction |
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| coordinates ={{coord|35.805702|-83.528838|type:landmark_region:US-TN|display=inline,title|notes=<ref>{{Google maps | url = http://maps.google.com/maps?q=35.805702,-83.528838&num=1&t=m&z=15&layer=t|accessdate = April 27, 2016}}</ref>|format=dms}} |
| coordinates ={{coord|35.805702|-83.528838|type:landmark_region:US-TN|display=inline,title|notes=<ref>{{Google maps | url = http://maps.google.com/maps?q=35.805702,-83.528838&num=1&t=m&z=15&layer=t|accessdate = April 27, 2016}}</ref>|format=dms}} |
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| status = |
| status = Temporarily Closed |
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| soft_opened = |
| soft_opened = |
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| opened = June 13, 2016 |
| opened = June 13, 2016 |
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Revision as of 21:26, 1 August 2016
| Lightning Rod | |
|---|---|
 Lightning Rod main entrance | |
| Dollywood | |
| Location | Dollywood |
| Park section | Jukebox Junction |
| Coordinates | 35°48′21″N 83°31′44″W / 35.805702°N 83.528838°W[1] |
| Status | Temporarily Closed |
| Opening date | June 13, 2016 |
| Cost | $22 million |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Wood – Launched |
| Manufacturer | Rocky Mountain Construction |
| Designer | Alan Schilke |
| Track layout | Terrain |
| Lift/launch system | Linear Synchronous Motor |
| Drop | 165 ft (50 m) |
| Length | 3,800 ft (1,200 m) |
| Speed | 73 mph (117 km/h) |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Max vertical angle | 73° |
| Height restriction | 48 in (122 cm) |
| Trains | Unknown number of trains with 6 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 24 riders per train. |
| Lightning Rod at RCDB | |
Lightning Rod is a wooden roller coaster at Dollywood. Marketed as the world's first launched wooden roller coaster, the ride, themed to hot rod cars from the 1950s, was designed by Rocky Mountain Construction and was originally planned to open with the park in March 2016. A problem with the ride's unique launch system forced a delay of the opening until June 13, 2016. A week later, a recalled part by the manufacturer forced a temporary closure that soon thereafter lifted.
History
Lightning Rod was first unveiled by Dolly Parton at a presentation at the Dollywood amusement park on August 7, 2015.[2] Lightning Rod is the first wooden roller coaster in the world to use a launch system instead of a traditional chain lift hill.[2] The ride's peak speed of 73 miles per hour also makes it the world's fastest wooden roller coaster.[2] The ride, estimated to cost $22 million, represents the largest single investment in the history of the park, and it is another component of a multi-year, $300 million expansion that began in 2013.[2]
Lightning Rod was scheduled to open on the park's opening day in 2016, but on March 15, 2016, the opening was postponed to an unknown date.[2][3][4] On March 24, 2016, Fred Grubb of RMC stated that the roller coaster's magnetic launch system, which was being developed by an outside contractor, "would not be able to perform at the level required for proper operation".[5] Grubb did not elaborate on the exact problem with the launch system, nor did he estimate when the attraction would be ready to open to the public,[5] although park officials did tell a USA Today reporter that they were hoping for an opening by the end of April 2016.[6] Lightning Rod did open occasionally for "technical rehearsals", where select guests could experience the ride, but it was not until June 13, 2016 that the park declared the ride officially open to the public.[7]
On June 20, 2016, Dollywood announced that Lightning Rod would be closed while a recalled mechanical part was being replaced on the roller coaster, by request of Rocky Mountain Construction.[8] Park officials re-opened the ride, again as a "technical rehearsal", on June 29, 2016.[9]
Ride experience
Lightning Rod's trains are themed to hot rod cars from the middle 20th century.[10] Each train has six cars, each seating four people (in two rows of two riders), for a total capacity of 24 riders per train.[10] Lightning Rod departs the station and is launched up its first hill, accelerating from zero to 45 mph, before dropping 165 feet and attaining its maximum speed of 73 miles per hour.[10] Riders encounter multiple overbanked turns, a wave turn, and a "non-inverting half loop" during the course of the ride.[10]
References
- ^ Google (April 27, 2016). "Lightning Rod (roller coaster)" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e Carly Harrington (August 7, 2015). "Wood coaster, 'Lightning Rod,' is new at Dollywood for 2016". knoxnews.com. Journal Media Group. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
- ^ "Lightning Rod: World's Fastest Wooden Coaster". Dollywood. March 15, 2016. Archived from the original on March 15, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
- ^ "Dollywood's new "Lightning Rod" coaster delayed". WBIR.com. March 15, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
- ^ a b "RMC's Statement on the Delayed Opening of Lightning Rod Roller Coaster at Dollywood Theme Park". rockymtnconstruction.com. March 24, 2016. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
- ^ "Dollywood hopes to capture lightning in a coaster in 2016". usatoday.com. Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. April 11, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ "After weeks of anticipation, Lightning Rod coaster opens at Dollywood". knoxnews.com. Knoxville News Sentinel. June 13, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
- ^ "Spokesman: Motor locks up on Dollywood's 'Lightning Rod' coaster, causing smoke". WATE 6. June 21, 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
- ^ Thomas Novelly (June 29, 2016). "Dollywood's Lightning Rod coaster reopens after recall". tennessean.com. Gannett Newspapers. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- ^ a b c d "Dollywood Adds World's Fastest Wood Roller Coaster For 2016". dollypartonentertainment.com. August 7, 2015. Archived from the original on December 5, 2015. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
External links